During a bushfire the safest place
to be is away from the fire. You
and your family’s survival depend
on the decisions you make and
how you act. Be prepared and
have a plan.
TOTAL FIRE BANS
A Total Fire Ban (TFB) is declared
because of extreme weather conditions
or when widespread fires are seriously
stretching firefighting resources.
It is illegal to do anything that could
or is likely to start a fire when a TFB is
declared. The ban includes all outdoor
fires for the purpose of cooking or
camping. It also includes incinerators,
welding, grinding, soldering or gas
cutting.
When a TFB has been declared it
will be:
on the DFES website at
www.dfes.wa.gov.au
on the DFES information line
on 13 DFES (13 3337)
broadcast on ABC local radio
and other media outlets.
There are three levels of warning that
change to reflect the increasing risk to
your life and the decreasing amount
of time you have until the fire arrives.
ADVICE: A fire has started but there
is no immediate danger. You need to
be aware and keep up to date.
WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION
DFES website
www.dfes.wa.gov.au
DFES information line
13 DFES (13 3337)
For bushfires in national
parks and State forests
www.dpaw.wa.gov.au
For current bushfire warnings
ABC radio and other media
WATCH AND ACT: A fire is
approaching and conditions are
changing. You need to leave or get
ready to actively defend your property.
EMERGENCY WARNING: You
are in danger and you need to take
immediate action to survive. You will
be impacted by the fire.
ALL CLEAR: The danger has passed
and the fire is under control. Take care
to avoid any dangers.
YOU MAY GET AN
EMERGENCY ALERT
Emergency Alert is one tool used to
warn communities of an emergency
and should not be relied on as your
only source of information. It is an
automated system that sends warnings
to home phones and mobiles. It does
not replace the need to look after
your own safety by monitoring local
conditions and taking preventative
action where possible. There may be
no warning for some bushfires, where
it is moving too quickly or starts close
to homes.
EVACUATION AND ROAD CLOSURES
Firefighters will evacuate areas to save lives, as this is their
highest priority.
Road blocks are managed by police who will not allow you
to return home under any circumstance. It is important that
you take everything you need with you when you leave.
Make sure you take your bushfire survival kit, including
important papers, medications and personal supplies.
Once you have left your property you may not be allowed
back for some hours or days.
For information about road closures contact Main Roads
on 138 138 or contact your local government.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this publication is provided voluntarily as a public service by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services
(DFES). This publication has been prepared in good faith and is derived from sources believed to reliable and accurate at the time of publication.
Nevertheless, the reliability and accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed and DFES expressly disclaims liability or any act or omission
done or not done in the reliance on the information and for any consequences whether direct or indirect, arising from such act or omission. The
publication is intended to be a guide only and readers should obtain their own independent advice and make their own necessary inquiries.
Front cover image
Based on information provided by and with permission of the
Western Australian Land Information Authority (Landgate) 2011
Version 4 – Published September 2014
DFESSEP14_482
SURVIVE.
AM I AT
RISK FROM
BUSHFIRE?
BUSHFIRE WARNINGS
Fill the gaps
PREPARE.
AM I AT RISK FROM BUSHFIRE?
If you live near bushland, you are
at risk of bushfire.
The majority of houses can survive
most bushfires with preparation
and planning. There are many
ways that you can improve the
chance of your property surviving
a bushfire even if you are not there
to defend it.
Starve the fire
In a bushfire houses often catch on
fire from embers. Embers are small
bits of burning bark and leaves that
can be carried long distances by
strong wind. They can get into your
house through gaps in the roof,
walls, evaporative air conditioners,
windows and doors.
Embers can travel many kilometres
ahead of a fire, so even if you are not
directly threatened by a bushfire you
may be impacted by embers.
It is important to understand the
bushfire risk to your home, even
if you are renting. Firefighting
resources, including water bombing
aircraft, may not be there to defend
your home. It is your responsibility to
reduce the risks and take actions to
survive a bushfire.
REMEMBER:
Bushland does not
just mean trees and
forest, it also means
areas of scrub and
grassland.
If there is nothing to burn there will be
no fire, so reduce fuel levels around
your house.
Maintain a minimum two metre
gap between trees and the building,
do not have trees overhanging your
house or shed
Keep the grass short, and prune
shrubs and trees
Rake up leaf litter and twigs under
trees, and remove bark
Make sure there is a gap between
shrubs or trees, do not clump them
together
Place paths and the driveway next
to your house, as they can provide a
protective barrier
Keep your gutters free of leaves
Consider alternatives to mulch, such
as paving, rocks, pebbles or brick
chips.
Prevent sparks from entering your
house by blocking the gaps.
Close in the eaves and other gaps
that lead into the roof or under the
house
Install stainless steel open weave
mesh cover over your evaporative
air conditioner and metal fly screens
on your windows and vents to keep
sparks and embers out
Close gaps in the roof with sarking
(the use of board or sheet material
laid under the roof tiles or iron to
prevent embers entering the house
and rated to the appropriate level
of protection as described in the
Australian Standard 3959).
Fix the fire traps
Remove or relocate fire traps such as
wood heaps, fuel containers, rubbish,
overhanging trees and grass/leaves
from under decks
Make sure the shed is not next to the
house and that it is ember proofed by
blocking all gaps around eaves, roof
spaces and ledges
Keep LP gas cylinders on the side
of the house furthest away from the
likely direction of a fire. Make sure
the pressure release valve is directed
away from the house and that there
is no flammable material in front of
the valve for at least six metres. Turn
the valve off as the fire approaches
Store gas cylinders upright and
secure them with a metal chain to
a secure non-combustible post to
prevent cylinders from falling over.
REMEMBER: You may lose
power and water supply. It
is important to plan ahead.
Without power you may not
be able to open your garage
door or operate your home
telephone. Without water you
cannot defend your home. If
you plan to actively defend your
property you will need to make
sure your home is prepared
to the highest level. For more
information refer to DFES
Prepare. Act. Survive. guide.
ACT.
Bushfires can start suddenly
so you need to be prepared
to act even if you do not get
a warning.
On hot dry days when bushfires are
possible you need to stay alert and
go outside regularly to check for
signs of a bushfire.
Most people wait to be told what
to do, expecting a firefighter to
knock on their door to tell them
to leave. This is highly unlikely to
happen. Do not wait for a warning
before acting. The decision to ‘wait
and see’ can be deadly.